Blade baffled two-cycle engine



April 1l, 1961 F. R. BuscH BLADE BAFFLED TWO-CYCLE ENGINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 4, 1959 lll..

F. R. BUSCH BLADE BAFFLED TWO-CYCLE ENGINE April 11, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 4, 1959 United States Patent BLADE BAFFLED TWO-CYCLE ENGINE Frank R. Busch, 5235 W. 79th St., Oak Lawn,`llll.

Filed Sept. 4, 1959, Ser. No. 838,217

3 Claims. (Cl. 12S- 65) The invention relates to internal combustion engines and has reference in particular to two-cycle engines incorporating new and novel design features for improving the operating performance and also the fuel economy of the engines.

The most common two-cycle engine such as used in outboard motors, lawn mowers, motor bikes, and the like, has both intake and exhaust ports situated at the .bottom end of the cylinder. This construction makes it the cheapest of any internal combustion engine to build, but the resulting inefiicieny in scavenging the cylinders to exhaust the products of combustion also makes it one of the most wasteful of fuel. In such engines the cylinder is always filled to approximately atmospheric pressure with a mixture of fresh charge and exhaust products. The proportions of each are determined by the engine load and the efiiciency at full power in scavenging the burnt gases from the cylinder. Although several factors exist during operation which promote engine eiciency, nevertheless, the dilution of the fresh charge with inert products makes ignition far more difficult. This condition is most critical at light engine loads when dilution is at a maximum. The result is that in order to obtainV regular ring, extremely rich mixtures are required with corresponding poor fuel economy.

The main objective of the invention is to improve the eiciency of a two-cycle internal combustion engine by reducing the intermixing of the fresh charge and burnt p gases to a minimum, by reducing or entirely eliminating loss of fresh charge through the exhaust port, and in segregating the fresh charge from the burnt gases, particularly at partial throttle operation so that ignition can take place in a region where a minimum of burnt gases are present. Y

A more specic object of the invention resides in the provision of a relatively long, thin bale on the piston and which is adapted to enter a slot in the head of a cylinder on the up-srtroke of the piston. Thus the baille divides the combustion chamber into two distinct areas, one being located on the intake side and the other on the exhaust side of the cylinder. Also, in accordance with the invention the areas are connected by means of one or more llame transfer openings at the base of the baie. The -ame transfer openings serve a dual purpose, since, in addition to transferring the ignition llame from the intake area to the exhaust area, it permits equalization of pressure in both areas. When the piston is in bottom dead center position, the bathe is withdrawn from the slot and since the intake and exhaust ports are then open, the scavenging of the cylinder is improved and in termixing of the fresh charge with the burnt gases is re.

duced to a minimum. i Y

Another object of theginvention is to provide a two- `cycle internalcombustion engine Vhaving'a pistonY with a baille fixed thereto for coaction withl aislotin the head of the cylinder and wherein the bathe and Vslot are designed for minimum clearance consistentwithmechanical v considerations, and which substantially eliminate'sfow c 2,979,045 VPatented Apk- 11, '1961 of the combustible gases into the slot during operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a blade bafed two-cycle engine such as described wherein the blade extends across the top of the piston with suicient clearance to prevent contact with the cylinder walls, and wherein Vthe blade has a length so as to leave the slot at about the same time that the exhaust port is opened. This avoids any possibility of the baffle acting as an obstruction to gas ow although providing a gas ow path of maximum length to 'assure complete scavenging of the cylinder.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended thereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a blade baffled two-cycle engine constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing the piston in bottom dead center position;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Figure 1 but showing the piston in top dead center position;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken through the battle substantially on line 4 4 of Figure l;

Figure 5 is a top plan View showing a modified form ofcurved blade fixed to a piston for the purposes of the invention; and f Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken sub stantially along line 6-6 of Figure 5,

The two-cycle internal combustion engine 10 of Figure 1 which has been selected for illustrating the present invention is basically conventional in design, consisting of a crank case 11 having a base 12 for supporting the engine on a flat surface. The crank case journals a crank shaft 13 having a crank portion 14, the shaft being journalled for rotation at respective sides 15 of the crank case and said shaft extending from at least one side of the crank case for delivering its power to other mechanism which is not shown. The cylinder 16 of the engine is suitably connected to the crank case at 17, and for a water-cooled engine the outer Walls of the cylinder in the upper portion thereof are cored at 18 to provide flow passages for the cooling fluid. The cylinder head 20 is joined to the and the same is also cored at 23 for circulating the cooling fluid through the head.

The piston 24 is mounted within the cylinder 16.for reciprocating movement for the length of the cylinder, and for so actuating the piston the usual connecting rod 25 .is provided, the same having a split hub portion 26' ports 30 with the opening 34 in the crank case, and the l lgas and air mixture which is rstadmitted to the crankv Vcase isthus delivered by the connection 33 tothecylinder in, timed relation with theA reciprocating movements of ,thevv piston. The'numeraly 3 5 indicates asupply line `for delivering the gas and air mixture to the crank case of the compression ratio of the cylinder.

3 and said supply line is conventionally equipped with a poppet valve 36 which opens and closes automatically in synchronism with the up and down movement of the piston. In Figure l the poppet valve is closed, since the downward movement of the4 piston, which has just been completed, has compressed the combustible Vgases within the crank case and which were delivered to within the cylinder upon the opening of the inlet ports 39. Simultaneously with this action the burnt gases resulting from the power stroke are exhausted through outlet 32 to the atmosphere. Upward travel of the piston will presently close the inlet and outlet ports and this upward movement of the piston will produce a subatmospheric pressure within the crank case suicient'to automatically open the poppet valve and draw in another charge of 'gas and air mixture from the supplyline 35. The cycle of operations is then repeated, since downward movement of the piston will compress the charge within the crank case effecting automatic closing ofthe poppet valve 36 and delivery of the charge to the cylinder following the next'power stroke.

ln accordance with the invention the top wall of the piston 24 is provided with a blade or bafiie 3S, and for receiving the same the head 2t) of the cylinder is provided with aslot 40. The baie 38 is provided with one or more flame transfer openings 41 located at the base of the baie and in co'acting relation with the semicircula-r diverting Wall 42. Additional openings such as 43 may be formed in the blade 38 to assist in equalizing the pressure on the respective sides of the bathe. When said baie is located within the slot 40 it divides 'the combustion chamber into an inlet area on one side thereof and into an outlet area on thevother side. It is desired to maintain the clearance between the brftie and the slot at 'a minimum consistentwith mechanical considerations. Minimum clearance-is desirable for two reasons; one, the radiation of heat from the bafe to the slot surface' is facilitated, and, two, the possibility of combustion occurringin the clearance space is eliminated. Also, by selecting the proper thickness of the baffle in relation to thevolume of the slot, a ratio can be obtained which approximates the compression ratio of the entire cylinder, thereby eliminating flow of the combustible gases into the slot during the compression stroke. It is also possible to have this ratio exceed Vthat This construction willtend to counteract the initial pressure rise in the cylinder? following'cornbustion and delay and reduce flow ofhot gases Vinto lthe slot.

-From the foregoing it is apparent that the'combustion chamber or chambers are ventirely separate from the baie slot combination. This divorceenables the use of a combustion chamber `design known as the wedge type chamber. As modiiied for use with the present design of engine, the chambers as `formed by the` bafe, taper to a maximum height at 39. The sparkplug location follows standard practice with this type of combustion chamber, being positioned at a maximnmheightv immediatelv ad'acent to'the slot nnd to the flame trans# A Y J a ferential length of the intake and exhaust ports. In

fer opening 41 provided in the baie as shown in 'Figure 3;" The reason for having the spark plug as close as possible to the ame transfer opening when the piston is inV top dead center position, is to facilitate the ignition of the 'combustible gases in the exhaust area with minimum time lag. The ame 'transfer opening serves a dual purpose, since, in addition to transferring-the flame "from the intake area to the exhaust are'ait serves to equalize the pressure' on both sides of the baflie. Although the y'opening-rernoves the -necessity'fortwo sparkfplugs, nevertheless dual ignition may be Ydesirable fr'onia reliability standpoint, as in thecasefofaircraft engines; The size of the iflame -transfer opening will varywith the displacement of the cylinder, since it must as possible to minimize flow of the fresh mixture to the opening when said fresh mixture is entering the cylinder through the inlet ports 3G. To further reduce loss of mixture from this source it is possible to direct the flow through the intake ports upwardly in a direction approximately parallel to the battle rather than directly against the baie. Also, the semi-circular diverting wall can be provided at the entrance'to thetransfer opening to divert the incoming gases away from the opening.

The design of the baiiie 38 is not subject to rigid restrictions. The baie can be made as an insert for the piston, or the baflie can be formed as an integral part of the piston. Heat resisting material such as alloy steel is preferred for the baffle and the same may be tapered with its thickest section at its base for increased strength, as shown in Figure 6. The bathe of Figures l and 3 extends diametrically of the piston and suflicient clearance is provided on respective sides so that the battle does not contact the cylinder walls. In addition to astraight bafe as shown in Figure 4,` the bafe may be given a crescent or ka curved shape when viewed in top plan as best illustrated in the modification of Figures 5 and 6. The curved baffle 44 is formed with a lame transfer opening .45 of increased length and on the inlet area side the diverting wall 46 is provided. Besides giving stiffness to the bathe without additional weight, the curved shape permits variation in the relative areas of the intake and exhaust ports without affecting the desired volumes of the intake andexhaust areas of the combustion chamber. Also, the baies of Figures 4 and 5 may be shifted in their position on the top wall of the piston to provide any desired ratio of volume between the intake and exhaust areas on respective sides thereof. The most common volume relationship will probably be about even, although it is possible that for certain specialized applications 'a 4variationin this ratio would be desirable. For example, for an engine where the ex pectedV loadfactorwould be light or would vary over a wide range, it might be desirable to have about thirty percent o'f the cylinder volume on the intake side, with seventy percent on the exhaust side. This arrangement wouldkeep dilution with exhaust gases'to a minimum under light load conditions. On an engine where the expected load factor would be high, the reverse arrange ment of cylinder volumes might be preferred. Side thrust on the piston would be reduced, and with normal volumetric efficiency there would be substantially no combustiblegases on the exhaust side so that a single. spark plugwould suffice without any time lag associated with the (flame transfer opening. A

The height of the batiie should be selected so that the baffle will leave the slot at about the same time that' the exhaust ports are opened. This synchronization avoids V` any1 possibility Yof the bathe acting as an obstruction to equalize the pressureontherespective sides of the baffle ..1 Y., without excessive delay. y With this lgimitationinv mind it iS @nimble t0, keer th? Size 0f .the owing einmal! gas'lfow while providing a gas fiow path of maximum length to assure complete scavenging of the cylinder'.

One of theY important advantages obtained by the piston blade of the invention is an increase in the circumference of the cylinder'can be employed since the .baffle serves as a positive wall lbetween the intake and Aexhaust ports." Another increase in powerloutput-.is possible by increasing the height of the ports. Conventional engines are limited ,in this respect bythe tendencypf the fresh charge tor passover the top of the pistonv deflector and out.the `exhaust port. on theupresent!Y design.v

Because o f Ithe greatly reduced .dilution of-fresh charge No such limitations -are imposed the intake combustipn chamber;l the time required Ito ignite and burn the fuel will -be greatly reduced. This permits the use of less spark advance and a reduced range of spark timing over the entire speed range of the engine, with a corresponding increase in eiiciency.

Although the foregoing has dealt exclusively with the application of the invention to gasoline engines, many of its advantages also apply to diesel engines. With suitable adaptations to diesel engine requirements, a considerable gain in power output, eillciency and economy of manufacture can be obtained.

The invention is not to be limited to or by details of construction of the particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings, as various other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a cylinder having a part providing a cylinder head and a piston mounted within the cylinder for reciprocating movement, of inlet and exhaust ports located in the walls of the cylinder and which are fully open when the piston is in bottom dead center position, a baille fixed to the top wall of the piston and extending from one side of the cylinder to the other to separate the inlet and exhaust ports without however contacting the cylinder walls, and a slot in the cylinder head located in alignment with the baille and adapted to receive the baille when'the piston is located in top dead center position, said baille having a llame transfer opening in its base adjacent the top wall of the piston, a diverting Wall on the said top wall of the piston in associated relation with the llame transfer opening and located entirely on one side of the baille, and said baille having a length such that the baille completely leaves the slot approximately simultaneously with the opening of the exhaust port.

2. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a cylinder having a part providing a cylinder head and a piston mounted within the cylinder for reciprocating movement, of inlet and exhaust ports located in the wall of the cylinder and which are fully 'open when the piston is in bottom dead center position, a relatively thin baille ixed to the top wall of the piston and extending from one side of the cylinder to the other to separate the inlet and exhaust ports without however contacting the cylinder Walls, a slot in the cylinder head located in alignment with the baille and adapted to fully receive the baille when the piston is located in top dead center position, said baille having a llame transfer opening in its base portion and a plurality of other openings located above the ilame transfer opening for equalizing the pressure within the cylinder on respective sides of the baille, and the cylinder head providing an interior surface which tapers from the slot to diametrically opposite sides of the cylinder in a direction inwardly of the cylinder.

3. An internal combustion engine as defined by claim 2, wherein the slot provides minimum clearance as regards the baille and wherein the baille has a length such that the bafe completely leaves the slot approximately simultaneously with the opening of the exhaust port.

References Cited in the ille of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 

